When I offered to post links to people’s online shops to help y’all get ideas for Christmas gifts, I was very explicit with my “don’t send me anything.” I didn’t want this to be a free goody grab for me, but a chance for my readers to find new things they love. One of them didn’t listen, and I’m not upset at all. Because hand-made French rolling pin! I had an expensive French pin already (from Williams Sonoma), and... Read more
Two words – bowl potholders!!! I hate pulling hot bowls out of the microwave, and then trying to eat my food while trying to not burn my fingers off. Then I saw these bowl potholders and hoped they’d solve that issue for me. (I’ll admit to curling up on the couch with hot food and a movie more often than is probably good for me.) At $6 each they’re a bargain and a half. (I should know. I ordered some... Read more
We’re starting off our Christmas shopping list with a talented lady from my own neck of the woods. Made By Mightymom is an etsy shop featuring beautifully crocheted rosaries, angels, and crosses. I was fortunate to receive one of her rosaries as a birthday gift a few weeks back, and it has already been stolen by one of my children who has sensory issues with metal. The crocheted “beads” are pleasing to his sensitive fingers, and it doesn’t make... Read more
Seven months after Ella’s legs got heavy and then stopped working, we went to our final doctor’s appointment. We’ve decided to stop looking for an explanation and diagnosis. We’ve had to make peace with the idea that we may never know for certain what happened to take her legs from her. We have seen 7 neurologists, 2 psychiatrists, 1 neuropsychologist, 2 neuro-muscular specialists, 3 rheumatologists, and now an infectious disease doctor. They all say the same thing, “I... Read more
I keep hearing the Pope referred to as a being a chemist. Sometimes it’s meant as a good thing. Sometimes it’s meant as a bad thing. Sometimes it’s just a thing that’s mentioned because he really is a chemist. (Master’s degree in chemistry and everything.) As Elizabeth Scalia wrote a couple of weeks ago, chemists are in the business of looking for surprises. What do chemists do? They “make a mess.” They seek out surprises for the sake of... Read more
I got an email last week from one of our local homeschool groups about upcoming activities. As I scanned the list to see where our scheduling conflicts were, and found that we were only free for one of them – Park Playday. I’ve declared this to be New Friends November. I’m looking for my people wherever they may be, and so I’m saying ‘Yes’ to all invitations for which I don’t have a scheduling conflict. That’s how we ended up... Read more
Get a group of Catholic women together talking about saints and the discussion will inevitably turn to St Therese of Lisieux. While the other women sigh dreamily and wax rhapsodic about their devotion to this particular saint, I stare awkwardly at the floor and remain silent. I just don’t get her. I devour the stories of girls of action like Marciana, Joan of Arc, Helena and Quiteria. I love a girl who springs into action and isn’t afraid... Read more
Christmas is almost here. Don’t freak out. You still have lots of time to shop. If you’re a person who has something to sell, or a product to recommend that you love think we will too….I’d love to hear from you. From now until Christmas, I’ll let you use this space to tell us all about what you’re selling (and maybe offer the readers a discount.) I figure it’s a win/win. The readers and I get to... Read more
We spent the past three days in Austin, my husband at a conference and me just roaming around. While I had planned on doing a lot of writing while I was there, it didn’t happen. I would sit down to write and neither the laptop, my iPad, or my phone couldn’t hold onto the internet connection at the hotel or anywhere else. I decided to take the hint and just get out to meet people. What did I do while... Read more
It was my birthday on Sunday, and while I wanted to party like I was 20 again, I’m old now y’all. I went drunk painting on Saturday night and then Mass on Sunday morning – then slept all Sunday. This morning I’m all rested and ready to start celebrating again, and what’s a party without party favors? For today (Nov 3) only, the e-book version of my book Teaching in Your Tiara is totally free for the first 1,000 people... Read more
Shoved to Them
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